NOTEBOOK: Buckley joins FSU staff as new student assistant

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews is accustomed to having a student assistant each football season. He just hasn't had one with Terrell Buckley's resume.

Buckley, 36, will assist Andrews with the secondary and punt returns as he completes his degree requirements.

Buckley left Florida State, where he's the career (21) and single-season (12) interceptions leader after winning the 1991 Thorpe Award as a junior. The Green Bay Packers used the fifth pick in the 1992 draft on Buckley, whose 14-year NFL career includes more than 50 interceptions, a Super Bowl ring and All-Pro credentials.

"As many great plays as he made while he was here, you respect him more for what he's doing now," Andrews said. "That's not an easy decision to make when you've been out 14 years, in that [tax] bracket anyway."

Bobby Bowden, who hired former Seminoles Lawrence Dawsey and Dexter Carter in the offseason, is glad to have Buckley back in the fold.

"Terrell is ideal," Bowden said. "We were lucky on that."

Hardrick dismissed

Bowden said sophomore offensive tackle Matt Hardrick has been "dismissed from the squad for violating team rules."

The Orlando native, listed as a second-team tackle, played in eight games last season. He was arrested in Orange County in April on a trespassing and possession of marijuana charge.

FSU's first day of practice also shed light on several other players who are no longer on the squad. Tight end D.J. Norris (shoulder) and linebacker Jae Thaxton (concussions) have been medically disqualified.

Among the incoming signing class, junior college defensive end Brian Coulter and offensive guard Zach Hillery haven't qualified academically. Junior college transfer tight end Jonathan Hannah is still awaiting academic clearance to begin practice, as is senior linebacker Anthony Kelly.

Frady still recuperating

Senior center John Frady, who lost his starting job in the spring, likely will miss the Sept. 3 season opener at Clemson as he continues to recover from ankle surgery that he had June 20.

"It was probably the worst possible time for it to happen," said Frady, a former Bolles School standout who's behind two redshirt freshmen on the depth chart. "I can't do anything about anything other than how I prepare myself. That's what I'm doing now, trying to get into the best shape that I can for when I get back."

Frady has lost more than 40 pounds since last season and has grown stronger, despite a rigorous academic load as he completes MBA requirements.